A member of the Kogi State House of Assembly, Hon. Bode Ogunmola, has declared support for the proposed Sixth Alteration Bill, 2026, which seeks to establish state police, while calling for strong accountability mechanisms to prevent abuse of police powers.
Ogunmola, who represents Ogori-Magongo State Constituency, spoke to journalists in Lokoja while reacting to the proposed constitutional amendment.
He said policing should be decentralised in a way that promotes public safety, community-based policing and respect for citizens’ rights.
Ogunmola said that transferring some policing responsibilities to the state level could improve security and intelligence gathering in communities. He added that adequate safeguards must be in place to prevent misuse of police authority.
Policing involves significant responsibilities, including maintaining public order, investigating crimes and enforcing the law, he said, which makes effective checks and balances essential to keeping law enforcement within the rule of law.
The lawmaker warned that without sufficient oversight, policing structures could be swayed by political interests, personal grievances and other practices that undermine justice and erode public confidence.
He stressed that the success of state police would depend not only on its establishment but also on the legal framework governing its operations.
Ogunmola called for merit-based recruitment, lawful operational procedures, and credible, independent investigations into allegations of misconduct.
He urged the Kogi State House of Assembly to give the proposed amendment favourable consideration. He also said the legislation creating state police and a Police Service Commission should prioritise professionalism, institutional independence and accountability.
According to Ogunmola, these safeguards would be critical to ensuring that decentralised policing serves the public interest and protects citizens’ rights across communities.
